- Charley Beresford | Executive Director
- Amor Verdeflor-Alvarado | Office Administrator
- Christine Boyle | Strategic Communications Specialist
- Rob Duffy| Research Analyst
- Norman Gludovatz | Special Projects Coordinator
- Steve Bradshaw | Alberta Coordinator
- Tracey Mitchell | Saskatchewan Coordinator
- Stephanie Levesque | Ontario Director
Charley Beresford | Executive Director
Charley Beresford is the Executive Director of the Columbia Institute. Today's climate change and social equity challenges are at the forefront of her work with the Institute. As Executive Director, Charley observed the climate change discussions in Copenhagen and regularly contributes research and analysis on emerging sustainability issues.
As a School Board Trustee from 1996 through 2008, Charley successfully campaigned to save provincially-funded Inner City School Funds and led the development of a ground breaking anti-homophobia action plan and anti-discrimination policy. In 2007, Charley established the Centre for Civic Governance, bringing the perspective of her 12 years of public service as an elected community leader.
Prior to joining the Institute, Charley worked with public and private sector organizations focused on community development, serving four years as a Director in the BC Ministry of Finance overseeing appointments to provincial agencies, boards and commissions.
Charley's involvement with community organizations and public policy development includes the Green Economy Network, SPARC BC, BC Recreation and Parks Association, Big Sisters, The Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Therapeutic Riding Association of BC.
Amor Verdeflor-Alvarado | Office Administrator
Before joining Columbia Institute, Amor Verdeflor-Alvarado worked with Amnesty International-PRO as Office Coordinator for 1 year and with FORGE, a non-profit organization based in the Philippines, as HR/Administrative Officer for 8 years.
Amor earned her Bachelor's degree in Industrial Psychology and Master's in Business Management from the University of the Philippines. She has also completed her office administration program from Vancouver Community College.
Christine Boyle | Strategic Communications Specialist
Christine Boyle comes to this work with a range experience in communications, strategic planning, and community development. Prior to joining the Columbia Institute, Christine led Communications for a environmental camp and retreat centre, and before that spend many years running sustainability programming within the Vancouver School Board. She holds a BSc in Urban Agriculture and First Nations Studies from the University of British Columbia, and an MA in community organizing from Berkeley, California. Christine is also a NextUp alumni.
Robert Duffy | Research Analyst
Robert holds a Masters in Communications from Simon Fraser University. Active with NGOs and social movements in Canada and the United Kingdom, Robert Duffy’s CV includes research positions in the BC legislature and at the national office of the Canadian Federation of Students. Prior to joining the Columbia Institute, he did legislative and communications work in the Canadian Parliament.
Norman Gludovatz | Special Projects Coordinator
Norman Gludovatz is the Special Projects Coordinator at Columbia Institute; he brings over 10 years experience in public engagement and event organization (event planning and management, facilitation, focus groups, and surveys). Norman has worked with government, the non-profit sector (international and local), business organizations, trade unions and individuals to engage citizens and members.
Norman studied Sociology at the University of BC and is currently doing a Masters in Professional Communications at Royal Roads University.
Steve Bradshaw | Alberta Coordinator
Steve Bradshaw is our Centre for Civic Governance Coordinator in Alberta. Steve arrived in Alberta from Southern Ontario in 1978. From his initial foray as restaurant owner in Grande Prairie to 12 years as an elected representative of the Amalgamated Transit Union in Edmonton, along with his continuing leadership in community organizations, Steve is focused on developing better communities.
Tracey Mitchell | Saskatchewan Coordinator
Tracey Mitchell is our Centre for Civic Governance Coordinator in Saskatchewan. Tracey has worked with various community-based and non-profit groups from mental health organizations to international development agencies. She has helped these organizations create innovative programming for public engagement, as well as evaluating and improving those programs. Tracey has a BA in History and Sociology from the University of Saskatchewan.
Stephanie Levesque | Ontario Director
A former city hall newspaper reporter, Columbia Institute's Ontario Director, Stephanie Levesque, has a wide breadth of community organizing experience across the entire province. Her extensive networks and knowledge of local issues around Ontario through her work with initiatives such as the Ontario Health Coalition and Municipalities Matter underpins her work at the Columbia Institute. Prior to her appointment as Ontario Director, Stephanie served as a member of the Centre for Civic Governance Ontario coordinating committee.
Ontario Office Address:
234 Eglinton Ave. East, 8th Floor
Toronto, ON M4P 1K7
E: slevesque(at)civicgovernance.ca